HomeMy WebLinkAbout066 - 05/04/2019 - MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR A FEDERAL LOBBYING CONTRACT RELATED TO REGULATION OF TRAIN HORN NOISEORDINANCE NO. 066, 2019
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR A FEDERAL LOBBYING
CONTRACT RELATED TO REGULATION OF TRAIN HORN NOISE
WHEREAS,the City has been trying to achieve a reduction in train horn noise through the
downtown core for many years, most notably in the form of attempting to establish a quiet.zone
along the Mason corridor,which would prohibit train operators traveling along the Mason corridor
from using train homs within the established quiet zone, except in rare circumstances; and
WHEREAS, despite various attempts, the City has not been successful in establishing a
quiet zone along the Mason corridor due to the way the Federal Railroad Administration (the
FRA") interprets relevant regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City has not been able to obtain further direction from the FRA on what
might be a workable_solution to establish a quiet zone.along the Mason corridor; and
WHEREAS, after further discussion with representatives of Congress and members of the
Trump administration, it appears the best solution to establish a quiet zone along the Mason
corridor would be to pursue various legislative solutions through Congress that may allow the City
to establish.a quiet zone or to otherwise reduce train horn noise through the downtown core; and
WHEREAS, staff has evaluated prospective providers of lobbying services and has
identified Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) as the preferred provider to help secure necessary sponsors
and support for a legislative solution to the train hom noise issue; and
WHEREAS,this Ordinance appropriates$49,000 for 2019 lobbying services from SPB for
seven months, with an option to extend the contract foi an additional five months if Council
subsequently appropriates an additional$35,000 in the 2020 budget revision process,or otherwise;
and
WHEREAS, staff plans to begin work with SPB immediately upon securing an
appropriation, so as to not miss timely opportunities in the Congressional calendar; and
WHEREAS, this.appropriation serves the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of Fort Collins and serves the public purpose of reducing noise pollution within the City's
downtown core; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not
previously appropriated; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the appropriation described herein and
determined that this appropriation is available and previously unappropriated from the General
I-
Fund and will not cause the total amount appropriated in the General Fund to exceed the current
estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received in that fund during any fiscal year.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated from prior year reserves in the General
Fund the sum of FORTY NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS($49,000)for expenditure in the General
Fund for a Federal Lobbying Contract with Squire Patton Boggs related to Train Horn Noise.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21 st day of
May, A.D. 2019, and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of June,A.D.2019.
ayor
ATTEST: of F°Rrco
SEAL
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Chief Deputy City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 4th day of June, A.D. 2019.
Mayon Pt Tern
ATTEST:
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